Hellboy 2 - The Golden Army (DVD)

This film is superbly crafted, with Oscar-nominated make up and effects, and in my opinion it has it all. Brillant fantasy creatures, big guns, great fight sequences and laughs all the way through. Thoroughly recommend.

Guillermo Del Toro has become the new master of dark fantasy -- first with the quirky clockpunk "Hellboy," then with the Oscar-winning "Pan's Labyrinth." Not to mention forthcoming travels to Middle-Earth.

So you know he has the skills to pit Mike Mignola's scarlet anti-hero against an army of fairies and elves, and not make it silly. Instead, it's a spectacular dark fantasy full of humor, action, quirky appeal, romance, and some truly astounding special effects. But what really shoves this movie over the top is Del Toro's brilliant direction, and the stunning performance by Ron Perlman.

Decades ago, Professor Broom (William Hurt) told a small Hellboy a yuletide bedtime story about the Elf King Balor and his unstoppable Golden Army, and how the crown that controls the Army was split into thirds and divided among fairies and humans.

Well, you can't really expect that kind of power to never be revived.

Cut to current day. Hellboy (Perlman), Liz (Selma Blair) and Abe (Doug Jones) investigate a strange supernatural attack on an auction house, where the archeological curiosity known as the Crown of Bethmoora was being sold -- only to be attacked by savage tooth fairies. Turns out the crown was stolen by Prince Nuada (Luke Goss), a resentful young elf who is determined to take the world back from humanity -- using, of course, the Golden Army.

And while Hellboy chafes against strict new commander Johann Krauss (a suit filled with ectoplasm), Abe encounters Nuada's sister, Princess Nuala -- who also happens to have the last third of the crown. But Nuada will not allow anyone to oppose him as he searches for the Golden Army's location, and Hellboy and his friends must venture into a strange, ancient kingdom to stop him from destroying all of humanity.

The worst you can say about "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" is that it sticks to the formula of the demonic outsider with a dark destiny, and his continuing romantic woes. There's some retreading as Hellboy realizes anew that he'll never fit into the world of humans, because he's big and red and has horns and a tail. Okay, we got it. Next big psychological issue!

Fortunately those flaws are relatively minor ones. Del Toro is still able to spin a dark, twisted story with some truly bizarre creatures (the utterly alien, eye-winged Angel of Death), clockpunk robots, trippy underground goblin markets and a new BPRD agent who is basically ectoplasm in a suit. And for the action scenes, Del Toro does not pull punches when it comes to the smashing action scenes -- giant thrashing vines and a one-on-one duel with Nuada are among the highlights.

But what really sets this movie apart is the "children of the Earth." No flitting Victorian sprites -- these are creatures that are weird, grotesque, dangerous and immensely powerful, from nasty little tooth fairies up to vast rock monsters and plant gods. There's an alien, bizarre aesthetic to these creatures that feels wholly real, as if Neil Gaiman casually dropped a few sketches onto the drawing board.

But as amazing as the visuals are, Del Toro never neglects the characters. Perlman is perfect for the role of "big Red" -- he's gruff, sarcastic, moody, but also endearing and self-deprecatingly likable. There are more hints of his potentially dark future, and he faces some delicately-handed temptations. But Big Red's good heart is still very much in the forefront, no matter how much human beings fear him.

Hellboy 2 is definitley worth watching.

The special effects are very good, not sure I enjoyed it as much as I thought I would, I generally enjoy this type of film, but I was some what disappointed with it, maybe I was expecting something different.

If you liked the first Hellboy movie then you'll like this one. Again Hellboy has to save the human race from a Prince who is determined to raise The Golden Army to destroy all of human kind. Humans uncontrolable greed, always wanting more no matter how much they all ready have, and to show why the human race is scared of the dark, the things that they have forgotten is why the Prince has decided the truce between his father and the humans made long ago must end. I love this film, the graphics are great and there is a nice underlying love story that continues over from the first film. Defo worth 4/5.

* TOYZ4BOYZRUS FAVOURITE *

I really enjoyed this film and its well worth the watch, got some really good scenes and characters plus its also quite funny.

Hellboy 2 is an action film with good pace and well-defined characters. It has humor and irony plus a love-interest.

A MUST SEEN FILM

HELLBOY II

this sequence is a Cross between Blade, the matrix and pans labynth

Jam packed full of action which will leave you breathless. the only dissapointment youw ill recieve is when the film finishes!

You will recieve comedy/romance/fighting/and death

HELLBOY II's rather interesting antagonist Prince Nuada intentions of restoring control over Earth to an Elvish race by regaining the key to unlock the indestructible Golden Army.

i wil not reveal the ending but you should watch it or you miss out on one of the best film ever made!!!

Fantastic - great action and special effects - funny in places and totally enjoyable from start to finish - highly recommended

would use this seller again very good and quick delievery thanks dvd has no marks case and sleeve are in great cond... overall very pleased with the item would recommend to anyone

This film has amazing graphics and some great fight scenes, but the acting is not the best and there are points in the film where you do ask yourself 'is it over yet' I think the film is a massive let down from the first

A very good film.
Very entertaining.
Good special effects.
A very good price for a Blu-ray Dvd.
I'm very happy with my purchase.

This film was just as good as the first if not better. Excellent acting from all charaters.Action was top class. Humour was very good. Cant wait for the third in the series

good value,has described,great item,original and well packaged.postage costs was good,price of item was excellent,packaged well,new and R2 has described,quickly received,no problems with item or seller whatsoever.would recommend.

Its in that rare catagory of second films that are as good if not better than the first. The visual effects are brilliant and keep you entertained. A lot of the same actors have been used so it works well. I can only say watch it its worth your time.

The film weren't what i expected. many things on the cover doesn't really come up often, and the story line's a bit f a mess. Still, its one of the best film ever to be made!

Far better than Hellboy, but then that's down to the director (Same as Pans labyrinth). Well worth the watch

I bought this dvd for my son at Xmas. All action, corny lines and a great story. The first film was excellent and we loved it - this one was nearly as good and the special effects are excellent.
We like to view together with popcorn in front of our big screen (wall-mounted blind) on my projector (borrowed from a mate) with some phat audio.
That's it really, pure escapist tosh - buy it today and find out!

i loved the first film one of my favorites and the second one didnt disappoint me. so my one happy chappy

Excellent sequal. For anyone who enjoyed the first one this is worth a look. If I had to pick any fault in the film it had a strong beginning and middle however, the ending was all wrapped up a little quickly. Never the less 9/10.

the graphics it keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering whats going to happen next its funny and makes you laugh the best movie i have seen i loved eveything about it my friend recommended me to buy it and was glad she did

you never know what to expect from a part two but this was well up to standard very entertaining , ...........buy it now.

I saw the first hellboy ! and i thought the story line was good, but this one was even better, i especially liked the troll market and the tooth fairys . cant wait for hellboy 3, to see how baby helly turns out

Well this was a great follow-up to the 1st Hellboy film. Don't listen to the 'professional critics' on this one as I know they slated it. This was a thoroughly enjoyable film from start to end. The characters have 'grown-up' a bit, but the witty one-liners and everything that made the 1st film great are still there. Special effects were good and the story was easy to follow. Just like a comic book should be!! The ending of the film has left it wide open for Hellboy III - which I for one will be keeping an eye out for. Well worth a watch, dont miss it!!